Alonso missed Stroll during F1 testing: 'I hope he can come back soon'

Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso says feedback from his injured teammate Lance Stroll was "sorely missed" by Aston Martin during the winter test in Bahrain. The 24-year-old Canadian had to miss the test after he was injured in a cycling accident.

Due to Stroll's absence, Alonso took on two days instead of one and a half. Reserve driver Felipe Drugovich in turn drove the Aston Martin car for two half days. However, Alonso said Stroll's feedback was sorely missed. "I think we miss him because some of my comments, my feelings with the car, we never know if it’s just me in a new team and a new car," Alonso stated during a broadcast of F1TV.

Stroll already has the necessary experience in Aston Martin's car and his feedback is therefore very important, the 41-year-old Spaniard states. "It’s just maybe an Aston Martin thing that Lance could spot. So a brake pedal feeling, power steering, all these things, I don’t know if this is a legacy from the team or if it’s just new in this car," he continues. "So yeah, we cannot do it without him and I hope he can come very soon."

Meanwhile, the wildest rumours are circulating about the injured Stroll. Aston Martin is keeping its lips tightly sealed and it is therefore unclear whether the Canadian will be recovered in time for the Bahrain Grand Prix. According to speculation, not Drugovich or Stoffel Vandoorne, but Sebastian Vettel would be considered to replace the driver in the opening race.